Protected and Sanctified

Friday, April 1, 2011 Reading: John 17: 6-19 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2017&version=NIV Reflection: It seems to me as I read this passage this morning that Jesus has two major requests of the Father concerning His disciples...which, by the way, includes you and me. The first of those requests is that the Father would protect the disciples. That protection is exclusively because they are being sent into the world, not rescued from it. They are being sent into the realm of the evil one in order to rescue those held captive in his grip. They are in enemy territory, and for the sake of the advancement of God's kingdom, Jesus asks His Father to watch over them and protect them. So, it's interesting to note that our protection is not from the risks of ministry as though we are to hide in a corner and hope for the best. Rather, we are to be on the move within enemy territory and praying that our Father sees and provides the needed protection. Second, Jesus asks that the Father would sanctify us. To be sanctified is to be purified, transformed into the image of the son, cleansed from the stains and pain the sin causes within the life of the believer. This is done so that while we are in enemy territory, we do not represent the enemies lifestyle or value. One of our great weapons in this epic battle against evil is our holy living. As a result, the Father must send the Spirit to indwell and change us as people so that we are matured and brought to completeness. And while we have certain spiritual disciplines we need to practice as we move along, we don't sanctify ourselves. Rather, the Father sanctifies us for the battle, then protects us in the battle. So, let's get out there and seek to engage the evil so prevalent in our world, doing so through holy living and with the confidence that our Father will protect us.